Narratives

Site Information

Reproduced below is the text of
the diplomatic note sent by the Brazilian government to its German counterpart
regarding Germany's newly reintroduced policy of unrestricted submarine warfare.
This policy in effect set in
place a blockade of Britain and her European allies, to be applied to
belligerent and neutral shipping alike.

Reaction to the policy was
rapid; the Allied powers inevitably decried its aggression, as did the U.S.
government, which broke off diplomatic relations on 3 February 1917.
On the same day President
Woodrow Wilson appeared before Congress to
announce his reasons, receiving virtually unanimous support in doing so.

Reaction among other
neutrals was similarly one of dismay;
click here to read Spain's
reaction;
click here to read Chile's response.

I have transmitted to my
Government by telegraph your letter of February 3rd, in which your Excellency
informed me of the resolution of the German Imperial Government to blockade
Great Britain, its islands, the littoral of France and Italy, and the Eastern
Mediterranean by submarines which would commence operations on February 1st.

Your letter stated that the
submarines would prevent all maritime traffic in the zones above mentioned,
abandoning all restrictions observed up to the present in the employment of
means for sea fighting, and would use every military resource capable of the
destruction of ships.

The letter of your Excellency
said further that the German Government, having confidence that the Government
of Brazil would appreciate the reasons for the methods of war which Germany was
forced to take on account of the actual circumstances hoped that Brazilian ships
would be warned of the danger they ran if they navigated the interdicted zones,
the same as passengers or merchandise on board any other ship of commerce,
neutral or otherwise.

I have just been directed to
inform your Excellency that the Federal Government has the greatest desire not
to see modified the actual situation, as long as the war lasts, a situation in
which Brazil has imposed upon itself the rigorous observance of the laws of
neutrality since the commencement of hostilities between nations with whom she
has had friendly relations.

My Government has always
observed this neutrality while reserving to itself the right, which belongs to
it and which it has always been accustomed to exercise, of action in those cases
where Brazilian interests are at stake.

The unexpected communication we
have just received announcing a blockade of wide extent of countries with which
Brazil is continually in economic relations by foreign and Brazilian shipping
has produced a justified and profound impression through the imminent menace
which it contains of the unjust sacrifice of lives, the destruction of property,
and the wholesale disturbance of commercial transactions.

In such circumstances, and
while observing always and invariably the same principles, the Brazilian
Government, after having examined the tenor of the German note, declares that
it cannot accept as effective the blockade which has just been suddenly decreed
by the Imperial Government.

Because of the means employed
to realize this blockade, the extent of the interdicted zones, the absence of
all restrictions, including the failure of warning for even neutral menaced
ships, and the announced intention of using every military means of destruction
of no matter what character, such a blockade would neither be regular nor
effective and would be contrary to the principles of law and the conventional
rules established for military operations of this nature.

For these reasons the Brazilian
Government, in spite of its sincere and keen desire to avoid any disagreement
with the nations at war, with whom it is on friendly terms, believes it to be
its duty to protest against this blockade and consequently to leave entirely
with the Imperial German Government the responsibility for all acts which will
involve Brazilian citizens, merchandise, or ships and which are proven to have
been committed in disregard of the recognized principles of international law
and of the conventions signed by Brazil and Germany.